136 Two ROSE SHOWS. 



I have aimed at bringing out the cardinal points only. 

 I believe that I have read and interpreted differently to 

 some certain pages in Nature's Book of Roses during the 

 quarter of a century that I have been actively engaged in 

 the cultivation of this popular flower. But I certainly 

 shall not quarrel with those earnest, industrious, and true 

 fellow-workers by whom I am surrounded because they 

 differ from me. On the contrary, I am not without hope 

 that these papers, often hastily written in the limited 

 leisure of active business life, may induce such to state 

 their experience. He is no true student of Nature who 

 prefers his own views to the advancement of the art or 

 science to which he has devoted himself. Light from any 

 and every source should not only be freely admitted, but 

 frankly acknowledged, and honourably prized. Vive 

 F Horticulture ! Vive la Rose ! 



TWO EOSE SHOWS. 



[From " The Florist? i86;,/. 180.] 



I THINK it was Thackeray who remarked that actors 

 when not playing always went to the play; and, 

 whether exhibiting or not, I never miss seeing the two 

 Rose Shows. The 2pth day of June found me at the 

 Crystal Palace, and a more auspicious day for exhibitors 

 and visitors could hardly have been desired, although it 

 was perhaps rather hot for the Roses, which in many 

 cases showed signs of fatigue long before the close of 

 the Exhibition. The Show was undoubtedly a success ; 

 yet I fancy that I have seen more competitors in some 

 of the classes, and a greater number of fine Roses, the 

 diminution in the number of the latter being attributable 

 probably to the severe winter and spring we have just 



